Chapter 210
Kenji Hagiwara was having lunch with Jinpei Matsuda at the Metropolitan Police Department. They were enjoying their meal when Jinpei Matsuda, who was sitting opposite him, suddenly sighed.
"Tell me, what happened to Han Chuan this time?"
Kenji Hagiwara snapped out of his daze: "What?"
Matsuda Jinpei said, "You seem distracted even while eating. Has Kankawa violated some rules again and been summoned for questioning by his superiors?"
This isn't the first time. For various reasons, whenever this happens, the members of the First Investigation Division will unanimously make excuses for Shinryu Samakawa, or simply conceal the matter altogether.
But no matter what, Suzumawa Shinryu would still eat during mealtimes. Today, even though he didn't ask for leave, he didn't come to eat, and his partner, Hagiwara Kenji, wasn't with him either. It seemed like Suzumawa Shinryu had something to discuss alone. Matsuda Jinpei thought it was normal for him to make such a guess.
Kenji Hagiwara was exasperated: "Can't you think of anything good about him?"
Matsuda Jinpei scoffed, "Wait until he can come to work on the hour every day for a whole week before bringing this up again."
Hagihara Kenji choked.
Just then, Matsuda Jinpei's phone rang. He answered, his brows furrowing even more deeply: "Explosion? An abandoned building? How could it be so sudden... Are there any casualties?"
Kenji Hagiwara's expression also turned serious.
He wanted to hear more, but Inspector Megure suddenly ran over: "Ah! Hagiwara-kun, you're still at the Metropolitan Police Department! That's great!"
"...?" A sense of foreboding washed over Kenji Hagiwara. "What's wrong, Inspector Megure?"
Inspector Megure coughed. "Um, Kagawa just called to say they've caught Pramia, but he's already dead. So they want us to come over because there might still be some bombs left... The address is here..."
Hagihara Kenji: "…………"
Matsuda Jinpei, who was on the phone: "…………"
Inspector Megure was in a hurry, as he had to get to the scene. After giving his instructions, he left in a rush, leaving Kenji Hagiwara somewhat dazed. Suddenly, memories from not long ago flashed through his mind.
That gun I specifically brought... Pramia is dead... Good thing...
Kenji Hagiwara stood up with a livid face, instinctively reaching into his pocket for his car keys, only to find nothing.
He guessed he might have left it on his desk and hadn't taken it down, and too lazy to make another trip, so he simply asked, "Jinping, did you bring your car keys?"
They've even stopped using their usual nicknames...
Matsuda Jinpei understood that Hagiwara Kenji was under a lot of stress, so he led the way: "Let's go, we're all heading to the same destination."
Although it was Matsuda Jinpei's car, Hagiwara Kenji sat in the driver's seat, put the siren on the roof, and legally started speeding before Matsuda Jinpei could even fasten his seatbelt.
"Calm down!" Matsuda Jinpei quickly fastened his seatbelt.
Kenji Hagiwara stared ahead: "Give him a call."
Matsuda Jinpei took out his phone: "I'm on the phone... Hello? Kankawa!? Are you alright?"
Unexpectedly, the call went through so quickly. Matsuda Jinpei was embarrassed to admit that he had guessed that Sugikawa Shinryu's phone would be off, and he waited until everyone had calmed down before turning it on.
Matsuda Jinpei put the phone on speakerphone.
Han Chuan Shenliu's voice came through clearly: "I'm fine. I guessed she was going to detonate it, so I prepared in advance."
"Is it really Pramia?" Matsuda Jinpei asked.
"Yes, we've talked to each other, so it's confirmed."
Kenji Hagiwara slowed down a little, though he was still speeding, but it was a police car, so it didn't matter; the main thing was that it was safer: "How is she now?"
"Hmm, falling from mid-air, even though the building isn't very high, you're definitely going to die."
Han Chuan Shenliu's voice carried a slight electrical crackling, with an inorganic indifference: "This was her own miscalculation. If it had been detonated later, she wouldn't have been blown up."
...The bomber was blown up by his own bomb, which led to his death. It sounds a bit far-fetched, but since Shinryu Hanakawa dared to say it, it should be similar to the truth that the police could find out. Anyway, it's much better than the worst situation that Kenji Hagiwara imagined.
Kenji Hagiwara then asked, "How did you discover Pramie?"
"I met him yesterday when I was looking for that fugitive," Han Chuan Shenliu said casually. "But it wasn't convenient to meet him in the shopping district yesterday, so I used a little persuasion to arrange to meet him here."
So, this guy planned everything for today yesterday and didn't mention a word about it, right...?
Kenji Hagiwara took a silent deep breath: "Couldn't you have told me?"
"Taking you there will alert the enemy," Han Chuan Shenliu said. "As long as the result is good, don't worry about the details."
Hagihara Kenji: "…………"
Here we go again, with that autocratic attitude...
In any case, after the phone call and the confirmation of some information, Kenji Hagiwara and Jinpei Matsuda were somewhat reassured and their emotions stabilized considerably.
After hanging up the phone, Matsuda Jinpei remained silent for a while, then suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but repeat what Hagiwara Kenji had said earlier at the restaurant: "'Can't you think of something good about him?'"
Kenji Hagiwara: "...How can it not be a good thing that Pramia has been captured?"
"That's very much in Hanchuan's style," Matsuda Jinpei nodded. "I reckon he'll be just going to use that same perfunctory tone with you from now on."
Kenji Hagiwara instantly recalled the words "good thing" that Shinryu Suzuri had said before leaving at noon, and fell silent.
...Oh no, I can already imagine how Shōryū will argue his way out of this.
He appears to be a cool and aloof guy, but his skills in sophistry and twisting concepts are unparalleled; most people probably wouldn't even dream of it.
Thanks to Kenji Hagiwara's high-speed driving, they finally arrived at the scene.
The capture of Pramiya is a major international event, and the Metropolitan Police Department is taking it very seriously, having already dispatched a considerable number of officers.
As soon as Kenji Hagiwara got out of the car, he asked the police officer in charge of setting up the cordon where Shinryu Kagawa was. When he went there, he found that Kagawa was talking to Inspector Megure.
"...Although she is a criminal, I am still responsible for her death. If she hadn't been so nervous, this mistake might not have happened. Moreover, it was a major case that attracted international attention. I feel I need to take responsibility for this. Please don't make any excuses for me this time. I will resign."
Such sincere words would likely lead anyone unaware of the situation to believe that he is an upright and responsible police officer who values the lives of everyone, including prisoners, so much that he feels compelled to take responsibility for the deaths of prisoners in front of him.
But upon hearing this, Kenji Hagiwara seemed to finally realize something. His previously serious and worried expression instantly turned expressionless. He narrowed his eyes and silently looked at Inspector Megure.
At that moment, Inspector Megure's small eyes were filled with a wisdom that seemed to see through everything.
He seemed completely unmoved by Han Chuan Shenliu's very reasonable words, and even vaguely revealed the meaning of "Let's see how you plan to continue this story".
After finishing his prepared lines, Shinryu Hanchuan stared at Inspector Megure, seemingly hoping that the other would give him face and readily reply with "No problem," just like when he asked for leave before.
He's already offered the way out; whether or not they use it is up to the other side!
Inspector Megure had been his superior for two years, so he was largely immune to the pressure that Fukari Hatsukawa always brought. He bravely withstood the attack of his gaze and said rationally and calmly, "Rejected."
Hanchuan Shenliu: "…………"
“The situation on site has not yet been clearly investigated, and it is unclear what specific responsibility you will bear. You may not bear any responsibility at all. It is too early to talk about resigning now.”
Inspector Megure not only refused to discuss the conviction, but also began to shower Shinryu with praise, acting as if he wanted to make him a hero, and that the person in question could not refuse: "No matter what, you are a great hero now. You have worked very hard to deal with such a vicious criminal and escaped death. Now go back and rest. We don't need you here anymore."
Han Chuan Shenliu paused for a moment, seemingly unable to accept that he had failed to resign despite all that: "...Inspector, I fired a shot this time."
"Hmm, is it a fatal wound?"
"No, but I remember that 90% of Japanese police officers don't fire their weapons before retirement. I didn't apply for permission; I acted on my own..."
"That's not important. I understand you were acting in self-defense. You can fill in the report later... I'll write it for you, so don't bother. Just go back and rest. I'll handle the rest!"
It's just writing a self-criticism, right? Everyone in the First Investigation Division is a pro at that! Inspector Megure himself is no exception!
Looking at the somewhat speechless expression on Hanakawa Shinryu's face, Inspector Megure chuckled inwardly.
Now I finally understand why Hanakawa Shinryu didn't invite anyone else and insisted on facing Pramia alone, making such a big scene. It turns out it was because he thought this would be more feasible and easier to find an excuse to resign...
Just kidding, even if it turns out that it was Hanchuan Shenliu who killed Pramia, he can still pull strings to give Hanchuan Shenliu two months' leave... no, two months' reflection before he comes back!!!
Japanese police don't use guns much, but Pramiya was an internationally wanted criminal, extremely vicious. Our Japanese police were forced into a corner; if they didn't act, they would die. So what if they killed him?!
He even wanted to award Hanchuan Shenliu a commendation!!! He'll go back and apply to the minister!!!
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Bonus chapter!
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Hagiwara and Megure, who saw through everything: All this trouble just to resign?
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Pramia's spirit hovered beside Inspector Megure: The Japanese police force is truly finished!!!
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